Random Matches You Are Going To...

[Spyro]

Thornton Hibs at home to West Calder United at.... Fauldhouse

 

[Jamie_B]

Midweek I was at Newport County v Grimsby. First half was comfortably the worst 45 minutes of football I’ve seen in years. Absolute garbage. The ball was sliced clean out of the stadium at least half a dozen times, one of the worst culprits being ex Dundee centre half a Ryan Inniss. Both teams had clearly opted for power and pace over any actual footballing ability throughout their teams, the net result being neither had a clue how to get near the goal. Brutal.

Second half improved slightly with Newport scoring on the break from a Grimsby corner shortly after HT and adding a second in injury time after Grimsby had a man sent off. Poor fare overall but thankfully the second half was at least somewhat entertaining.

Also entertaining was Newport’s mascot, Spytty the dog. I’m all for any team with absurdly named mascots. He was absolutely fucking loving it at the second goal as well.

[Adamski]

Celtic v Rennes last night - in the away end with a Rennes-supporting friend who had come over for the game.

Rennes were already out, but brought plenty of fans over and they in Glasgow for a good time: fun, friendly, often noisy atmosphere and not too bothered about the score - particularly as apparently only 3-4 of the starting lineup were regulars. Celtic were deserved winners although it might have been a different game if Rennes hadn't missed an absolute sitter at 2-0.

Good camaraderie between the two sets of fans, and not a hint of bother - the sort of atmosphere that would be a good example to non-football fans who think that watching football is full of aggro and potential fighting. And that made the bit after the game a all the more of a pain in the arse: held inside the ground for 20-odd mins, then directly outside for another 10-15 mins, then all the Rennes fans had to walk behind the police in a cordon back to the city centre. I live in the Southside and it took me nearly two hours after the game ended to get home. Pretty OTT, and I feel sorry for the Rennes fans who had come over and planned a night in the pubs after the game - it'll all have swallowed up a fair bit of their drinking time.

Funniest bit was a (Scottish) Celtic steward trying to guide me in the right direction and putting on that Joey-Bartonesque accent and gesticulations that people seem to do when they're talking to French people: 'no no my friend, this is the way to the city'. Aye, nae bother, cheers mate!

Edited November 29, 2019 by Adamski

[LondonHMFC]

@Adamski Did you ask if you could head your own way? After the game with Lazio, I just said to a copper I was from Scotland and wanted to go back to my hotel. Just let me walk out with a friend with no issue. Have to say, I thought the policing was actually quite good in comparison to down here. 

[Adamski]

11 minutes ago, LondonHMFC said:

@Adamski Did you ask if you could head your own way? After the game with Lazio, I just said to a copper I was from Scotland and wanted to go back to my hotel. Just let me walk out with a friend with no issue. Have to say, I thought the policing was actually quite good in comparison to down here. 

They seemed pretty set on everyone walking together - we tried going our own way a couple of times only for the police to shout to get back in the group.  We managed to break away at some point around the Barras though. In fairness we weren't in a particular rush and never bothered asking the police - it's the folk who were only in Glasgow for a night or two and wanted to make the most of it that I felt sorry for,

Edited November 29, 2019 by Adamski

[LondonHMFC]

6 minutes ago, Adamski said:

They seemed pretty set on everyone walking together - we tried going our own way a couple of times only for the police to shout to get back in the group.  We managed to break away at some point around the Barras though. In fairness we weren't in a particular rush and never bothered asking the police - it's the folk who were only in Glasgow for a night or two and wanted to make the most of it that I felt sorry for,

Ah right, we just asked outside the ground and they were fine with it. Can understand if you were already in the escort. Yeah bit of an annoyance, but hopefully still managed to have a good evening! 

[accies1874]

I was at Brentford v Luton today.

Loved the old-time layout of the stadium with it essentially being built in the middle of a shit housing estate, and being in a packed terracing behind the goals at the end that saw five goals, was just just brilliant. Obviously the deluge of goals helped, but the atmosphere was great.

Some of Brentford's play was really nice as they were happy taking their time stretching Luton before either linking up with a FB/winger combination or, rather regularly, Jansson would play a straight ball through the middle to the striker/AM's feet. They absolutely obliterated a wretched Luton in the first half - it's a shame that I've not had that much fun at the football in ages, and it was involving two sides I have no investment in.

[Fraser Fyvie]

Stoke 1-2 Blackburn. Poor game, Blackburn nicked it late on on the counter. Feckin baltic.

Edited November 30, 2019 by Fraser Fyvie

[Lyle Lanley]

Off to watch Man City play Leicester on the 21st. 

[Lichtie78]

I was at Brentford v Luton today.

Loved the old-time layout of the stadium with it essentially being built in the middle of a shit housing estate, and being in a packed terracing behind the goals at the end that saw five goals, was just just brilliant. Obviously the deluge of goals helped, but the atmosphere was great.

Some of Brentford's play was really nice as they were happy taking their time stretching Luton before either linking up with a FB/winger combination or, rather regularly, Jansson would play a straight ball through the middle to the striker/AM's feet. They absolutely obliterated a wretched Luton in the first half - it's a shame that I've not had that much fun at the football in ages, and it was involving two sides I have no investment in.

One of the best grounds I’ve been to, definitely. Was there in February when they came from 2-0 down to beat Blackburn 5-2, plenty entertainment value. As you say the way the ground is hemmed in by terraced housing is brilliant and the way every ground should be. Shame they are upping sticks to a Lego ground, but one of my mates is a season ticket holder so will hopefully make it down before end of the season.

[German Jag]

Wolfsburg supporting mate had a spare ST, so tagged along to VfL Wolfsburg v. Werder Bremen. An enjoyable back & forth game with 5 goals. Away end chock-a-bloc, plenty of empty spaces in the home sections.

The 3-2 defeat stymied Wolfsburg‘s chance of moving up into an EL spot.

 

[Connor1874]

Think I mentioned before, but I'm off to the New Den on Friday night to see Millwall vs Forest!

Was actually hopeful of getting to Spurs vs Burnley instead as my girlfriend's uncle's work has corporate season tickets but they were already taken. Didn't even know the Millwall game had been moved to the Friday, but alas, I'm on my way.

[Connor1874]

In fact, while I'm here. Any tips from people who have been to The Den would be greatly appreciated.

Going with my girlfriend who is somewhat shiting herself.  

I've been told though it's best to stay around the London Bridge area and get the train from there to South Bermondsey? And I assume buying tickets on the night won't be a problem?

[yogisbairns]

Wolfsburg supporting mate had a spare ST, so tagged along to VfL Wolfsburg v. Werder Bremen. An enjoyable back & forth game with 5 goals. Away end chock-a-bloc, plenty of empty spaces in the home sections.
The 3-2 defeat stymied Wolfsburg‘s chance of moving up into an EL spot.
 

Looking to go to the reverse fixture of this game next April with 5 mates. Any idea when fixture dates/times will be announced?

[Sergeant Wilson]

5 hours ago, Connor1874 said:

In fact, while I'm here. Any tips from people who have been to The Den would be greatly appreciated.

Going with my girlfriend who is somewhat shiting herself.  

I've been told though it's best to stay around the London Bridge area and get the train from there to South Bermondsey? And I assume buying tickets on the night won't be a problem?

Or go to Greenwich and get the train or walk. It's less than 2 miles from there. It's actually fine and there is a fanzone and bar out side and a bars inside as well.

If coming from Central London your first idea is probably best.

Edited December 3, 2019 by Sergeant Wilson

[HibeeJibee]

6 hours ago, Connor1874 said:

In fact, while I'm here. Any tips from people who have been to The Den would be greatly appreciated.

Going with my girlfriend who is somewhat shiting herself.  

I've been told though it's best to stay around the London Bridge area and get the train from there to South Bermondsey? And I assume buying tickets on the night won't be a problem?

I went to Millwall v Bolton a couple of years ago, when down for the World Athletics. Got the train out from London Bridge (which was still being rebuilt at that time) - and while I couldn't tell you what station it was at the other end South Bermondsey rings a bell. Anyway lots of other fans got off, and it was a straightforward walk down some access ramps, past houses then a sizeable road to the stadium. No bother anywhere; if you'd not known it was Millwall the thought wouldn't have occurred, frankly.

Huge queues and missed KO - but it was first home game (ST collection/etc.).

[GordonS]

On 01/12/2019 at 19:07, Lichtie78 said:

One of the best grounds I’ve been to, definitely. Was there in February when they came from 2-0 down to beat Blackburn 5-2, plenty entertainment value. As you say the way the ground is hemmed in by terraced housing is brilliant and the way every ground should be. Shame they are upping sticks to a Lego ground, but one of my mates is a season ticket holder so will hopefully make it down before end of the season.

It's not the same, I know, but the new ground does look like it'll generate a decent atmosphere:

https://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1038181&page=9 

[Sergeant Wilson]

On 03/12/2019 at 14:05, Connor1874 said:

In fact, while I'm here. Any tips from people who have been to The Den would be greatly appreciated.

Going with my girlfriend who is somewhat shiting herself.  

I've been told though it's best to stay around the London Bridge area and get the train from there to South Bermondsey? And I assume buying tickets on the night won't be a problem?

The fanzone, with doub!e Decker bus bar.

Edited December 6, 2019 by Sergeant Wilson

[Lichtie78]

It's not the same, I know, but the new ground does look like it'll generate a decent atmosphere:
https://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1038181&page=9 

The multi-coloured seats are a travesty

[Craig fae the Vale]

Morton 3-2 Hibs in the SFA Youth Cup last night at Cappielow. Two great free kicks from Morton put them 2-0 up in the first half. They scored an excellent counter attacking goal with about ten minutes left. Hibs scored what looked like a consolation with five to go, then scored a penalty with the last kick of the ball. Good entertainment.